Worcester City 0 FC United of Manchester 0

WHEN merely finding enough fit players to fill your section of the team-sheet is a struggle, that’s when you know times are tough.

Such is the extent of Worcester City’s injury crisis coupled with a double suspension blow, they failed to even do that ahead of their Vanarama National League North clash against mid-table FC United of Manchester.

With five first-team regulars injured and two banned, manager Carl Heeley could only name a match-day squad of 15, leaving one seat vacant on the home bench.

It was an alarming situation to be in, especially as three of the four replacements were outfield players and none of them were defenders.

But, fortunately for City’s boss, those who pulled on a shirt at Bromsgrove’s Victoria Ground wore it with pride as they claimed a gutsy point.

And it could quite easily have been more as Steven Craig saw his second-half penalty saved by Adriano Basso.

The arrival of Kennedy Digie on loan from Kidderminster Harriers was one of the biggest positives for the Blue and Whites.

The 20-year-old midfielder was thrust straight into the starting line-up in place of the out-of-form Ebby Nelson-Addy and he quickly asserted his authority with good footwork and strong tackles.

Another player who impressed was Jordan Keane. With James Chambers ruled out along with the injured Tom Sharpe and the suspended Sam Oji, Heeley had no option but to put Keane at centre-back alongside Graham Hutchison.

But the versatile 23-year-old did not disappoint as he refused to give FC United’s attackers an inch and made a number of important interceptions.

One player City missed, though, was top scorer Lee Hughes. It was the first of four matches without the banned striker and after putting the visitors under plenty of pressure it was clear his finishing touch could have been the difference.

With Digie providing much-needed impetus in midfield, Worcester were the stronger side before the match burst into life 10 minutes before the break.

After Craig sliced a shot into the path of an unmarked Chekaine Steele, the winger had time and space to pick his spot but Basso spread himself well to deny him.

Steele did have Basso beaten on 37 minutes only for his 20-yard strike to cannon off the inside of the left-hand upright.

Moments later FC United striker Jason Gilchrist hit the post with a driven effort from the edge of the area.

Worcester continued to do most of the attacking after the interval and they looked set to break the deadlock on 70 minutes.

After Cieron Keane was tripped by Sam Baird in the box Craig was presented with a great opportunity to fire City in front.

But the 36-year-old, who has netted just once this season, never looked like scoring as Basso comfortably smothered his tame penalty.

Steele and Junior English also failed to threaten Basso with their respective efforts on goal as Worcester’s winless streak in the league was extended to seven matches.

But this was at least a much-improved performance from Heeley’s men after their poor showing in last weekend’s 1-0 defeat to lowly Bradford Park Avenue and will give City something to build on when they travel to Curzon Ashton tomorrow night (7.45pm).